Boat propelling device



y 1950 R. T. GRIFFIN BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1946 M Q/M W:

May 9, 1950 R. T. GRIFFIN BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed July ll 1946 Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED STATES g BOAT PROPELLI NG Application July 11, 1946,?Se11ialNo.;682;'843

This invention relates to boat propelling devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a boat propelling deviceinthe form of .a reciprocating propelling member formed with flap valves which close on the propelling stroke and open on the return stroke.

Another object-of this invention is;to provide a boat propelling device embodying flap valves which may be reversed as totheir operation so that the boat may be moved either forwardly, or reversal?- mfurther object of'this' invention is to provide a device of this kind which is of simple construction and will not add to the draft of the boat.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved reversing means for a reciprocal propelling device.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and. then more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a boat having a propelling unit constructed according to an embodiment of this invention mounted thereon,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the boat and propelling unit,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of one of the propelling units, I

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of one of the propelling units, I

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 5, with the valve members in reversed position.

Referririg to the drawings, the numeral l designates generally a boat which has an engine H mounted therein. The engine H has connected thereto a speed changer I2 which includes a rock shaft l3 with which a rock arm 14 is connected. A horizontal slidable cross head I is slidably mounted in the cross head guide l6 mounted within the boat and the head I5 is connected to the crank arm or lever M by means of a link or pitman I1.

A horizontal slidable shaft I8 is connected at its inner end to the cross head l5 and extends through the rear of the boat. The shaft l8 has fixed on its outer or rear end a rectangular frame generally designated as I9. The frame IS in- "1 Claim. (01.11-15wi31) eludes upper and lower horizontal bars 20, 2|

respectively,- and vertical side bars '1 22,123. aThe frame #9 is connected-atotherear end .of the-shaft ill-by means of.-a yoke;2 l. The frame A9 has rockabl y r mounted therein raaplurality .of 'hOri? zontally disposed flap valves 25. The-:flap valves 2 5 are loosely mounted. =on horizontally. disposed shafts 26 which are journaled nthmughthe side members 2 2 23- of the framezI-Hl.

The valves 25 are adapted tobeilimited irrtheir swinging movement-from the :vertical; operative orwclosedposition to tstheithorizontal inoperative open position by means of-.;pairso'fangle .mem-

bers 27. The angle members 2Larerdisposedene pair at each end-bf: the.valve:25,.gand2xare: fixed on a shaft 26. The angle members 21 constitute stop and reversing means for the valves 25. Each shaft 26 has mounted on the opposite ends thereof beveled gears 28 meshing with beveled gears 29 which are fixed on vertical shafts 30 disposed on the outer side of the frame I9.

The shafts 30 are journaled through bearings 3| carried by the side members of the frame 19 and the upper ends of the pair of shafts 30 have fixed thereon beveled gears 32. One horizontally disposed shaft 33 is journaled in bearings 34 carried by the upper or top frame member 20 and the shaft 33 adjacent the opposite ends thereof has fixed thereto beveled gears 35 meshing with the upper beveled gears 32.

The shaft 33 has fixed between the ends thereof a worm gear 36 which is disposed between a pair of bearings 31 carried by the top frame member 20. The worm gear 36 has meshing therewith a worm 3B fixed to a valve adjusting shaft 39. The shaft 39 is journaled in bearings 40 which are carried by and extend upwardly from the top frame member 20 and the shaft 39 at its forward or inner end is splined as at 4| into a tubular shaft 42 journaled in bearings 43 fixed to the upper side of the cross head guide H5.

The inner end of the shaft 42 has fixed thereto a crank 44 by means of which the shaft 39 can be rotated so as to thereby adjust the angle stop members 21 and provide for either forward or reverse propulsion of the boat.

In the use and operation of this device, when the engine II is operating, the crank M will rotate and thereby reciprocate drive shaft l8. As shown in Figure 2, there are two of these drive shafts I8 and a propelling unit on the outer end of each drive shaft [8. These units are arranged alternately so that one unit will be on the propelling or operating stroke while the other unit is on the return or inoperative stroke. When the shaft 18 is moved outwardly and the combined 3 stop and reversing members 21 are in the position shown in Figure 5, the flap valves 25 will swing downwardly from the outer side of the frame 19 against the vertical sides of the stop members 21. In this position of the stop members 21, the boat will be propelled forwardly when the shaft I8 is forced rearwardly. On the return or forward stroke, the flap valves 25 will freely swing outwardly so that there will be relatively slight resistance to the return of the frame and valve structure.

Where it is desired to reverse the movement of the boat, crank 44 is rotated to swing the angle stop member 21 to the position shown in Figure 6. In this position of each stop member the horizontal side thereof will be extending forwardly so that on the outward stroke of the reciprocating shaft [8, the valve members will be :in their open position, whereas on the return or :inward movement of the reciprocating shaft the 'valve members 25 will swing downwardly to their closed positions against the vertical sides of the :stop members 21. By providing the worm and worm gear connection between the adjusting shaft 39 and the upper horizontal shaft 33, the stop members will be locked against accidental adjustment and against any pressure strains on the angle members by the valves 25.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A boat propelling means comprising a pair of reciprocating horizontal drive shafts, means for reciprocating said shafts in opposite directions one to the other, a frame fixed to the outer end of each of said shafts, flap valves rockably mounted in said frames, a right angular stop member for each of said valves rockably mounted on said frames for limiting the movement of said valves and for determining the direction of operation thereof, a vertical shaft on each frame, correlated bevel gears carried by said vertical shaft and said stop members for rocking said stops on rotation of said vertical shafts, a worm gear journalled on each of said frames, an adjusting shaft fixed to each of said worm gears, operative gear connection means between said Worm gear and said vertical shafts, a tubular shaft rotatably mounted on said boat, said adjusting shaft rotatable with said tubular shaft and slidable therein, and an operating means for rotating said tubular shaft whereby said valves may be selectively rocked to a forward or reversing position in said frames.

ROY T. GRIFFIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date A 97,924 Hunter Dec. 14, 1869 801,560 Thomas Oct. 10, 1905 2,085,307 Freise June 29, 1937 

